Director - Manufacturing, Ops & Assembly

Blue Origin; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Origin in Huntsville, Alabama seeks a hands-on Operations leader to guide high-volume manufacturing across Machining, Fluids Systems Fabrication, Avionics, Coatings, TPS and COPV. Lead an interdisciplinary team to deliver cost-effective, safe and high-quality production plans, reporting to the Sr.

Director of Operations at the Explorer Facility. You will drive lean improvements, optimize factory flow, and develop talent while upholding Blue Origin's safety culture and leadership principles.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high-volume manufacturing operations across multiple fabrication areas.
• Proven ability to drive cost-effective operational improvements and lean initiatives.
• Strong focus on safety, quality, and developing diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-volume manufacturing operations across the Explorer Facility in Huntsville, coordinating quality, engineering, supply chain, and production.
• Direct initiatives to deliver cost-effective, high-quality performance for orbital launch vehicle development.
• Implement methods to increase throughput, first-pass yield, and on-time delivery.
• Spread best practices to drive continuous improvement across facilities.
• Champion safety and first-time quality; grow your team at all levels.
• Analyze processes at micro and macro levels to reduce unit cost and accelerate throughput.
• Develop and deploy data-driven systems with a lean approach to measurable results.
• Apply leadership principles to foster a One Team Mindset across Huntsville and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing

Cost Reduction

Quality Assurance

Data-Driven

Lean Principles

People Development

Safety Culture

Job description

Application Close DateApplications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

Application Close DateApplications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities. We are a diverse team of collaborators, doers, and problem-solvers who are relentlessly committed to a culture of safety. This position will directly impact the history of space exploration and will require your commitment and detailed attention towards safe and repeatable spaceflight. Join us in lowering the cost of access to space and enabling Blue Origin's vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth.

As part of a hardworking, passionate, and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for the financial and operational execution for our New Glenn high volume fabrication teams at the Explorer Facility in Huntsville, Alabama. This includes leading a skilled, interdisciplinary team responsible for Machining, Fluids Systems Fabrication (Tube and Weld Shops, Subassemblies, Precision Cleaning and Pressure Vessels), Avionics Fabrication (Avionics Processing and Cable Harnesses), Coatings, Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), and Composite Overwrap Pressure Vessels (COPV) in support of orbital launch vehicle production. This is a hands-on leadership position that requires the ability to communicate vision, strategy, and the tactical application of cost-effective practices and key deliverables. You will report directly to the BE-3U Sr. Director of Operations at the Explorer Facility.

We are looking for someone to apply their leadership skills, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to safety and quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

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Responsibilities

• Lead high-volume manufacturing operations encompassing quality, engineering, supply chain, and production across all fabrication areas and work centers at the Explorer Facility in Huntsville.
• Direct initiatives and strategies that deliver cost-effective, high-quality operational performance in support of orbital launch vehicle development for payload and human spaceflight.
• Implement methods to increase production efficiency and productivity, including factory flow optimization, higher throughput within existing floor space, improved first-pass yield, increased output, accelerated learning curves, and supplier on-time delivery.
• Propagate key operational learnings and best practices to drive continuous improvement across Explorer Facility operations and the broader Blue Origin enterprise.
• Champion safety and first-time quality across all functions while actively growing and developing your team at all levels.
• Analyze processes and operations at both micro and macro levels, implementing high-impact improvements for safety and quality that reduce unit cost and accelerate throughput.
• Oversee the development and implementation of data-driven systems with a lean approach, maintaining a sharp focus on delivering measurable results.
• Leverage Blue Origin's Leadership Principles to cultivate a trusting, learning culture through continuous feedback, coaching, and robust development opportunities — fostering a "One Team Mindset" across the Huntsville site and partner organizations.